Pipeline route to LNG ship not yet set
COAL seam gas company Metgasco has considered a number of possible routes for a gas pipeline to connect its Casino gas fields with a processing ship off the coast at Ballina, but has refused to detail the options.
Instead the company has asked the public to respect that a comprehensive planning and consultation process would be completed before any proposal could proceed.
And it has asked the community "allow the process to take place before jumping to conclusions and forming judgments".
However, the company has said its medium-term priority was to supply gas to the local market and the processing ship plan was only in the "concept stage".
"The floating liquefied natural gas facility is at concept stage only and is one of a number of options we are considering to get some of the gas to the export market in the medium to long term," Metgasco chief Peter Henderson said.
"The connection from Casino to the offshore facility will occur via a pipeline.
"Gas pipelines are prolific around Australia, are low-risk and are managed safely with minimal disruption to the environment or community.
"We are considering a number of routes, but no firm commitment has been made, nor will they be until rigorous studies are completed and submissions approved by government."
Metgasco says liquefied natural gas is created when coal seam or other gas is cooled to minus 160 degrees, turning it into a liquid for transport.
